Interspecific tree named &#39;plumsweet xii&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, and medium productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early July, with first picking on Jul. 7, 2007. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, mostly red with greenish yellow freckling in skin color, clingstone in type, oblate in shape, red in flesh color, very firm and crisp in texture, and outstanding in flavor.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus sp.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘PLUMSWEET XII’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The present inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which hasbeen denominated varietally as ‘Plumsweet XII’.

During a typical blooming season I isolate as seed parents bothindividual and groups of different plum trees by covering them withscreen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside each such house, andbouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot, andinterspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees are placed in buckets near thetrees approximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During2001 one such house containing an unpatented red plum, code named19P442, was crossed by me in this manner. To pollinate this red plum, Iselected bouquets from several sources of apricot and interspecificplum-apricot hybrid trees without keeping specific written details. Uponreaching maturity the fruit from this red plum tree was harvested andthe seeds were removed, cracked, stratified and germinated as a groupwith the label “H5”. They were grown as seedlings on their own root inmy greenhouse and upon reaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivatedarea of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in MercedCounty (San Joaquin Valley). During the summer of 2004 the claimedvariety was selected by me as a single plant from the group of seedlingsdescribed above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety ofinterspecific tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting inthe experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plantand fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in allrespects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety wascompatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to ‘YUMMY®rosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,476) plum by being self-unfruitful and by producing fruit that ismedium in size, that is clingstone in type, and that is somewhat oblatein shape, but is distinguished therefrom by having a flower thatproduces less pollen and by producing fruit that is firmer in texture,that is entirely red in flesh color, that has abundant greenish yellowfreckling, that is somewhat sweeter in flavor, and that matures aboutseventeen days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present interspecific variety is characterized by a medium size,moderately vigorous, hardy, and medium productive tree. Beingself-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from anapricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. Thefruit matures under the ecological conditions described during earlyJuly, with first picking on Jul. 7, 2007. The fruit is uniformly mediumin size, mostly red with greenish yellow freckling in skin color,clingstone in type, ablate in shape, red in flesh color, very firm andcrisp in texture, and outstanding in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, two half fruitsdivided to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insetsdepicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the treeduring the blooming season.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, the following hasbeen observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description wasdeveloped at the state of firm ripe on Jul. 17, 2007, on the originaltree during its sixth growing season. The flower and bud descriptionswere developed during the previous blooming season. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also usedoccasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: 19P442 plum (unpatented).-   Pollen parent: Unknown.

TREE

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and    a spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after six growing seasons utilizing typical    dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Moderately vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.914 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and dense.-   Form: Central leader type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Medium productive, thinning sometimes necessary.-   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a    suitable mid seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum, such    as ‘September YUMMY®’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220).-   Bearing: Uncertain bearer, dependent upon suitable weather during    the blooming season.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium to small, reaching a maximum diameter of 3″ [76            mm.] after the sixth growing season.        -   Texture.—Shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Dark grayish            brown [62. d.gy.Br] variegation with Light yellowish brown            [76. l.ybr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr]. Average Size:            ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 1″ [25.4 mm.] measured 12″ from            central leader.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Light brown [57. l.Br]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: Dark grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br].        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 60 on second            year wood. Color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Average            Size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.]. Shape: Elongated, rectangular.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 3 11/16″ [94 mm.]. Average            Width: 2 ⅛″ [54 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Mucronate to somewhat acuminate.        -   Base.—Mostly acute with an average base angle of 75 degrees,            some obtuse.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green [119.            l.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green [115.            v.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Alternately            positioned at the intersection of the petiole and the leaf            blade. Size: Small. Form: Globose. Color: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG] becoming Deep reddish brown [41. deep            rBr] in the center with age. Leaf buds: Pointed, medium.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. White].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.—1 1/16″ [27.0 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, wavy with some notches.        -   Average petal diameter.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Slightly acute, with an average base angle of 80            degrees.        -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].        -   Sepal length.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and            length.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth, with slight serrations present.        -   Average pistil length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Pollen production.—Slight.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, two before ‘Santa Rosa’ plum            (unpatented).        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 26, 2007.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 6, 2007.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Bloom density.—Moderate.        -   Number per cluster.—2 to 7, average 4.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jul. 17, 2007.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 7, 2007.-   Date of last picking: Jul. 17, 2007.-   Size: Uniform, Medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2 1/16″ [52.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2 7/16″ [61.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2 ¼″ [57.2 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—4.4 ounces [125 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose to oblate, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to ovate.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round to slightly            elliptical.-   Suture: A distinct line located in a very shallow groove extending    from the base to just beyond the apex.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the base.-   Lips: Equal.-   Cavity: Flaring, rounded, suture showing on one side.    -   -   Depth.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Breadth.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Truncate.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous dot.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 5/64″ [2.0 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Moderate.        -   Tendency to crack.—Slight.        -   Color.—Very dark red [17. v.d.R] with Deep greenish yellow            [100. deep gY] mottling and Moderate greenish yellow [102.            m.gY] freckling throughout.        -   Bloom.—Abundant.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] toward the stone, Very deep red            [14. v.deep R] toward the skin.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Deep red [13. deep R]            fibers when twisted away from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—A tasty blend of acid and sugar, typically 20 brix.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Eating quality.—Outstanding.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Acuminate, with a sharp ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] tip.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Rough throughout with one deep groove from base to apex on    each side of the dorsal fin.-   External color of stone: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Cavity surface color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].-   Average pit wall thickness: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.].-   Average width: ¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Average length: 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].-   Average breadth: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Pale yellow [89. p.Y] when first removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of interspecific tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus sp. tree,substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to‘YUMMY®rosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,476) plum by being self-unfruitfuland by producing fruit that is medium in size, that is clingstone intype, and that is somewhat oblate in shape, but is distinguishedtherefrom by having a flower that produces less pollen and by producingfruit that is firmer in texture, that is entirely red in flesh color,that has abundant greenish yellow freckling, that is somewhat sweeter inflavor, and that matures about seventeen days later.